Bell ringer



1924. p ,30 A. H. MILLER BELL RING-ER Filed Meiy 1o 1923 2 Sheets-Shea! 1 gwuanfoz H. 11 may,

' Sept. 30, 1924.

1,510,446 A. H. MILLER BELL RINGER Filed May 10. 1923 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuentoz A h. Mailer,

Patented Sept. 30, 1924.

ADOLPH H. MILLER, OF JASPER, MINNESOTA.

BELL RINGER.

Application filed May 10, 1923. Serial No. 638,115.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that ADoLPH H. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jasper, in the county of Pipestoneand State of Minnesota, has invented new and useful Improvements in Bell Ringers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a clock-actuated circuit closer or switch for an alarm or signal bell circuit whereby a signal may be given at regular intervals, as for example, of forty minutes each for the information of classes in educational institutions and the like, and whereby a. warning or preparatory signal is given at the short interval of, say, from two or three to five minutes in advance of the main signal as a means of enabling the classes to prepare for the change in study or of class-room.

It is further the object of the invention to provide a signal mechanism which may readily be changed or adapted to give signals at any prescribed or desired intervals, either less or greater than an hour, and to provide such a mechanism as may be readily used in connection with the ordinary or conventional form of clock or similar time-piece.

With these objects in View, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated without defining the limits of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is afront elevational view of a time-piece embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 2.

In carrying out the invention the clock, indicated generally at 1, is modified to the extent of extending the terminal of the hour hand 2, as indicated at 3, to provide a sliding contact element traversing removable contacts 4 consisting of screws adapted to be selectively inserted in uniformly spaced threaded openings in an annular bar 5 enclosed within an annular insulating covering 6 arranged concentrically around the dial 7, the insulating covering being perforated to provide for the ready insertion of the contact screws 4 in the threaded holes in the ring or annular member 5. Since it is de- 1,

angular distances of two and one-half degrees corresponding to the minute spacing around the dial and as many or as few screws 4 as desired may be employed. Except when it traverses the head of a screw 4, the sliding contact element 3 traverses the outer face of the insulating ring 6.

The other modification of the clockstructure necessary to carry out the invention is the extension of the spindle 8 of the minute hand 9, this spindle being extended beyond the back of the time-piece or clock for the reception of a wheel 10 carrying on its pe riphery an insulating ring 11 inset with segments 12 uniformly spaced at angular distances of thirty degrees or corresponding to the five minute intervals on the clock dial. The segments 12 are of relatively thin dimensions and their edges are flush with the outer periphery of the ring 11 which is traversed by a contact roller 13 carried by the extremity of a spring arm 14 mounted on a block 15 of wood or other insulating material, a binding post 16 being connected with the spring arm 14. The battery 17 for supplying the current to operate the bell 18, which is in series with the battery, is connected electrically to the ring 5 by a conductor 19, a conductor 20 connecting one terminal of the bell with the binding post 16. When the contact member 3 is on one of the contact screws 4 and the contact element 13 in engagement with one of the segments 12, a circuit is established on the bell 18, current leaving the battery 17 and passing over the wirel 19 to the ring 5. Thence it passes to the contact member 3 through the engaged screw 4 and thence over the hour hand 2 tothe minute spindle 8 which is in metallic contact with the hand 2 and thence to the wheel 10, segment 12, contact roller 13, arm 14, binding post 16, conductor 20, bell 18 and back to the batter gince the disposition of the segments 12 is thirty degrees apart, one of these segments will be engaged by the roller 13 at. five minute intervals. Therefore, it is only necessary to selectively arrange the contact screws 4 in the desired holes to have the signal operate at the desired time. For

example, if it is desired to have the signal operate at twenty-five minutes after nine and then again at half past nine, a com tact screw 14 is inserted in the fifth hole in the ring 5 above the hole just opposite the point on the dial indicated by IX and a second screw inserted in the hole just abov the first. At twenty-five minutes after nine, the hour hand will be in such a position. that the contact element 3 will will be on the first of the above mentioned screws and the minute hand on V of the clock dial, at which time the con tact roller 13 will be on one of the segments 12 which are angularly spaced as are the indications on the clock dial. Therefore, a circuit will be established on the bell with the resultant signal. At half past nine, the contact element will have moved to the next higher screw and the next succeeding segment 12 will have reached the contact roller 13 when the circuit will again have been established.

Thus, it will be observed that the signal, whether it be of the visual or audible character, will be operated automatically at any desired intervals represented by multiples of five and the program may be changed at any time by changing the positions of the contact screws or elements with reference to the specified points on the ring 5.

A cut-out switch conventionally indicated at 21 may be employed to render the circuit inactive when so desired.

The invent-ion having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A time operated circuit closer comprising relatively fixed and movable contact elements and a time-piece having its hour and minute indicators operatively engaged respectively with said elements, the fixed contact element being provided with a plurality of selectively arrangeable contact members and the movable element consisting of a continuous series of alternate conducting and insulating members.

2. A time ope-rated circuit closer comprisingrelatively fixed and movable contact elements, and a timepiecehaving its hour indi'cater provided with an extension in 'sli'ding engagement with contact members carried by said stationary element and its minute indicator operating in synchronism with the movable element, the latter co1rsisting of a wheel, an insulating ring mounted on the periphery of the wheel, and uniformly spaced segments inset in the insult.- ing ring and flush with the outer periphery of the latter. 7

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

ADOLPH MILLER... 

